The Edmonton Oilers saw their season end earlier than expected with a first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks, falling in six games after entering the season as the favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup.
The early elimination brought the never-ending discussion of captain Connor McDavid's long-term future in Edmonton, with the center about to enter his final two years under contract with the Oilers.
McDavid discussed the early-playoffs elimination during the franchise's exit interviews on Saturday, making it clear the franchise fell short of expectations, taking blame for it.
“The organization as a whole is taking a step back, and that starts with me,” McDavid said. “It starts with me, it starts with Leon (Draisaitl). We all can be better, and we all need to be better.”
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Asked directly about the narrative that he could leave Edmonton if the Oilers don't win soon, McDavid addressed the question without hesitation.
“I want to win, and I want to win here in Edmonton,” McDavid said. “That’s my focus.”
General manager Stan Bowman was asked about McDavid's future in Edmonton, and while he answered the question, he pretty much deflected discussing it in depth while simply touching on the alignment between the player and the franchise's goals.
“Well, we’re trying to win. I mean, we’re trying to find a way to win, and we’ve been doing that,” Bowman said. “So, those questions are more for Connor as far as what his plans are and his thoughts are. We’re on the same page as Connor—we want to win, too.”
McDavid has spent 11 seasons in Edmonton, reaching the playoffs eight times and the finals twice, but never winning an elusive Stanley Cup.
